Joe Biden picks Ketanji Brown Jackson to be first black woman on US Supreme Court
- The historic nomination to replace retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer would fulfil a 2020 campaign promise by the president
- Of the 115 people who have ever served on the nation’s top court, all but three have been white, only two have been black and both of those were men
Biden picked Jackson, 51, for a lifetime job on the nation’s top judicial body to succeed retiring liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, setting up a confirmation battle in the closely divided Senate. The choice fulfils a campaign promise he made two years ago to the day to make the historic appointment.
Of the 115 people who have ever served on the Supreme Court, all but three have been white, only two have been black and both of those were men.
Biden said that for too long the US government and its courts have not “looked like America”. “It’s time we had a court that reflects the full talent and greatness of our nation,” Biden said at a White House event with his nominee at his side.
Biden called Jackson a “proven consensus builder” and a “distinguished jurist”, adding: “During this process I looked for someone like Justice Breyer who has a pragmatic understanding that the law must work for the American people.”